'Grandfather' unmasked as bank robbery gang's spotter

60-year-old suspect accused of tracking cash-carrying citizens from banks in dozens of heists

KARACHI:

KARACHI

A 60-year-old man allegedly posing as an unsuspecting bank visitor turned out to be the eyes and ears of a robbery gang, according to police, who arrested him for allegedly tracking citizens withdrawing large sums of money and alerting his accomplices.

Ferozabad police arrested Muhammad Mangi during an operation against a gang involved in robbing citizens after they withdrew cash from banks. According to SSP East Zubair Nazir Sheikh, the suspect was a key member of an organised gang and would visit banks to identify people carrying large amounts of cash before informing his accomplices.

Police officials said investigations into repeated robberies targeting citizens travelling from banks to their destinations revealed that an elderly man was suspiciously conducting reconnaissance. To avoid raising suspicion, the gang allegedly used the senior citizen as a spotter.

During interrogation, police said it emerged that the suspect was part of a four-member gang which would chase and rob citizens after receiving information from Mangi. Police said CCTV footage of several alleged robberies had also been obtained, showing the suspect inside different banks and other motorcycle-riding suspects at robbery locations.

According to police, Mangi confessed during questioning to involvement in dozens of criminal incidents. Investigators also found that two years ago, he allegedly conducted surveillance on a DSP, leading to a robbery of Rs800,000 carried out with the help of the same gang.

Police said the suspect's criminal record had also surfaced, showing his alleged involvement in a murder case committed during a robbery. A case has been registered against him, while raids are being conducted to arrest his absconding accomplices.

Two fake intelligence

officers held

Bahadurabad police arrested two men allegedly impersonating officers of a sensitive institution and using fake identities to deceive citizens and influence government officials.

The suspects, identified as Talha Yousufzai and Ali Haqani, were taken into custody and shifted to the police station for investigation. A case was registered against them on behalf of the state under charges including document forgery and misuse of a false official identity.

According to police, the suspects were travelling in a black vehicle while posing as officers of a sensitive institution. Acting on a tip-off, police stopped them and sought their identification documents. The suspects allegedly produced fake identity cards of the institution, which were found to be forged.

Police said preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects allegedly used the name of a sensitive institution to extract millions of rupees from citizens and were also involved in pressuring government officials for bribes.

Sources said the suspects allegedly acquired a bungalow in Bahadurabad through blackmail, while fake institutional identity cards were recovered from their possession.

Investigators said the suspects allegedly used their fake influence in various institutions, including the Sindh Building Control Authority and the University of Karachi, to get different tasks carried out. They were also allegedly involved in matters related to illegal constructions and land encroachments.

Police said investigations into the suspects' possible links with government and private institutions were under way, with further arrests expected.